10 Words You Need To Eliminate From Your Vocabulary To Be More Succinct

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1/10 A lot of the time when we use the word that we don't actually need to. Open an email or text message that has the word that in it, read the message and then read it again without that. If the sentence works without it, delete it. Another tip when you're referring to people use WHO not that. "I have several friends that have pets." No you have friends WHO have pets.
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2/10 I went to the shop, school, super-market, hair dresser wherever you might be going try using a verb to describe how you got there. Instead of went you could use drove, skated, walked, ran, flew. There are a lot of different ways you could move from here to there. Don't be lazy paint a picture with words and share your experience.
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3/10 Many people are guilty of using the word honestly to add emphasis but the truth is when you signify that a particular statement is honest you imply the rest of your words were not...
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4/10 This word is quickly becoming redundant as it has been overused. Something is either necessary, or it isn't. Absolutely necessary doesn't make it more necessary. If a physiotherapist recommends essential exercises, it is essential. The definition of essential is absolutely necessary.
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5/10 The word very is intended to enhance a verb, adjective or another adverb. In reality it makes a statement less specific. If you're very annoyed? Be enraged. Very annoyed is a lazy way of making your point. Another pitfall with the use of very is that it is subjective. My idea of very tall could be different to your perception. Be precise. The girl is 6'2" or it is -13 degrees Celsius. Specifics enhance your story and ensure the reader understand exactly what you're implying.
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6/10 The use of really to describe something is lazy. The water was really blue. Pick a different word to make your point. The water was electric blue. Repeating the word doesn't make it any more relevant. The cat was really really fat. No the cat was 12kg, or the cat made Garfield look like a kitten.
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7/10 The definition of amazing is "causing great surprise or sudden wonder." Rather than being generic you could use wonderful, mind-blowing, surprising, incredible, startling, marvellous, astonishing astounding or remarkable. You probably see this word multiple times daily on social media, in company advertisements and even in award ceremony acceptance speeches.
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8/10 Not only is it unrealistic that you're always doing something. It's untruthful. "I always eat chicken nuggets." This would suggest that you only ever eat chicken nuggets. Instead you could use often, frequently or usually.
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9/10 Again it's unrealistic to assign a definite to a situation. "I never travel." If you have travelled before you're not being honest. Instead use seldom, rarely or infrequently.
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10/10 Literally means literal or actual happening without exaggeration the ironic thing is the word is often followed by a figurative scenario. "I was literally dying of laughter" while there is a possibility of dying from laughing too hard the chances are very slim. It's more of an expression.
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In a growing digital age it is becoming more and more important to get our point across in as little words as possible.

While computers do help in a lot of ways we live busy lifestyles and don't have time to read superfluous words.

Removing these words from your vocabulary will help you write more succinctly.

Background Photo: iStock

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